Marks & Spencer expands travel-retail locations

Print Article E-Mail Article

Following the success of its alliance with WH Smith Travel Retail, UK retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) has announced it is expanding an intiative with catering company Select Service Partner (SSP) to open Simply Food branded outlets at major rail stations.

Trials of M&S food-to-go at branches of WH Smith are already under way in London, Scotland and selected geographical clusters as this joint project gathers momentum. Some 33 UK travel-retail branches of WH Smith at rail and bus stations, hospitals and airports now carry the M&S branded food-to-go sandwiches and a mix of salads, sushi, bagels and wraps.

The latest joint initiative with leading airport food service company SSP, part of Compass group, involves the two companies working together to identify further suitable travel-retail locations. The first two Simply Food outlets were successfully launched last month in Surbiton and Twickenham in the London area.

M&S food business unit director, Justin King, commented: "This is an exciting development. The Simply Food trial demonstrates our commitment to growing the sales of Marks & Spencer's food business. A staggering 680m passengers pass through the UK's top 50 rail stations, so there is considerable synergy between these locations and Marks & Spencer's desire to extend its reach."

"Having launched the Simply Food concept, this trial format in partnership with SSP is a natural progression to explore suitable opportunities for Marks & Spencer with third parties," said King.